DAP vice-chairperson Ahmad Nor ( photo ) passed away at the Kuala Lumpur hospital this afternoon after a bout with lung cancer.

The 60-year-old politician, who was diagnosed with the disease last September, was o­ne of the key Malay leaders in the predominantly Chinese multiracial opposition party.

According to a press statement from the party, Ahmad died at 3pm. He was admitted to the hospital o­n Jan 16 but his condition worsened and he slipped into a coma o­n Monday.

The Kedah-born politician was the president of the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) from 1983 to 1986.

He resigned from the customs department that year and formed the now-defunct Parti Nasionalis Malaysia with the backing of unions and middle-class liberal elites.

Ahmad joined DAP in 1987 and contested in the Gopeng by-election later in the year but was defeated by MCA secretary-general Dr Ting Chew Peh.

Three years later he won the Bayan Baru parliamentary seat in Penang but lost the seat to an MCA candidate in the 1995 general election.

His last electoral foray was in 1999 when he failed to capture the state seat of Damansara Utama in Selangor

Irreparable loss

Meanwhile, DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang described Ahmad's death as an "irreparable loss" to the party and nation.

"He was a great Malaysian and a symbol of Bangsa Malaysia and the country needs more people like him," he said when contacted.

Lim ( photo ) added that Ahmad had distinguished himself in the battle for justice and human rights.

"Ahmad Nor is politician and trade unionist par excellence. He is a great Malaysian son, whose passing is an irreparable loss to the DAP and the nation."

Party secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock, too, had praises for Ahmad, saying his demise was not o­nly a loss to DAP but to the country as well.

"He will be remembered by the party and his supporters," he added when contacted.

The secretary-general and Kota Melaka MP described Ahmad as a popular leader who was gifted with remarkable oratory skills.

"He had the ability to deliver speeches in Bahasa Malaysia in a simple manner that captivated everyone, Malays as well as non-Malays," he said.

Ahmad's remains have been taken back to his hometown in Alor Star and will be buried later tonight. He leaves behind a widow, Mariam Ibrahim, and five children.